Becoming a US Citizen
February 27, 2006 3:50 PM
My husband is a German citizen and has lived in the US for the last 25 years. For about 20 years, he has had a Green Card (resident alien). Last year he petitioned to become a US citizen (with dual German citizenship) and he has yet to hear from the government on his petition. He needs help to find out how to contact someone with answers to his questions.
The Department of Homeland Security along with the FBI and the INS are all involved in these petitions (apparently) but he can't get any information about the status of his request. The documentation he has received states that a decision must be made within 120 days after the petition has been filed but it has been 140 days and he has heard nothing. He has contacted our local representative and the local District Court without any luck. The website that is devoted to providing updated status information does not recognize his case number as a valid one. The phone number for the INS that he has been given to call routes him through a predictably endless menu of options with no real person at the end of any option. Any ideas on what to do from someone with expertise in this area?
The Department of Homeland Security along with the FBI and the INS are all involved in these petitions (apparently) but he can't get any information about the status of his request. The documentation he has received states that a decision must be made within 120 days after the petition has been filed but it has been 140 days and he has heard nothing. He has contacted our local representative and the local District Court without any luck. The website that is devoted to providing updated status information does not recognize his case number as a valid one. The phone number for the INS that he has been given to call routes him through a predictably endless menu of options with no real person at the end of any option. Any ideas on what to do from someone with expertise in this area?
He might want to try not pressing any buttons when he calls the number with the phone menu, and see if it fools the system into thinking he has a rotary phone so it will connect him to an operator.
posted by MsMolly at 4:17 PM on February 27, 2006
posted by MsMolly at 4:17 PM on February 27, 2006
Did he submit the petition directly, or through an immigration lawyer/service?
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:22 PM on February 27, 2006
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:22 PM on February 27, 2006
When I was living it Germany, it was very clear that the German government did not allow Dual Citizenship and that if I wanted German citizenship I would need to renounce my US citizenship. Do they allow Germans to have dual citizenship and not foreigners? Maybe this is why he's not hearing anything.
posted by princelyfox at 4:25 PM on February 27, 2006
posted by princelyfox at 4:25 PM on February 27, 2006
By the way, your congressperson's staff might be of assistance. They're supposed to help constituents sort out problems with the federal bureaucracy. If nothing else, they've probably dealt with enough immigration questions to know the secret for getting a live operator on the phone.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:27 PM on February 27, 2006
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:27 PM on February 27, 2006
Hmmm. According to this, the phone system only recognizes tracking numbers from electronic applications or applications submitted at a service center. So maybe their website is rejecting his number for similarly obscure reasons?
It also says that it's easier to reach a live operator Tues-Fri. Hope it helps!
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:37 PM on February 27, 2006
It also says that it's easier to reach a live operator Tues-Fri. Hope it helps!
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:37 PM on February 27, 2006
Thanks so much for your suggestions. To answer some of the questions.
Princelyfox: He had to petition the German Government in order to request dual citizenship. His request from the German government was approved. But you are right, the issue for dual citizenship was wiith the Germans not with the US.
Nakedcm: He submitted the petition himself - the process is not that difficult when the petitioner already has a green card. Trying the congressperson is a good idea - we tried the House of Reps person but we can go higher
posted by bluesky43 at 4:38 PM on February 27, 2006
Princelyfox: He had to petition the German Government in order to request dual citizenship. His request from the German government was approved. But you are right, the issue for dual citizenship was wiith the Germans not with the US.
Nakedcm: He submitted the petition himself - the process is not that difficult when the petitioner already has a green card. Trying the congressperson is a good idea - we tried the House of Reps person but we can go higher
posted by bluesky43 at 4:38 PM on February 27, 2006
The documentation he has received states that a decision must be made within 120 days
What district office are you using? You can find the current actual processing dates here. These are the application dates that they're currently working on, which will often be very hugely different from things like 120-day "requirements."
There are also links to automated case status, but I don't know how much helpful information this will have -- it might just say PROCESSING.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:41 PM on February 27, 2006
What district office are you using? You can find the current actual processing dates here. These are the application dates that they're currently working on, which will often be very hugely different from things like 120-day "requirements."
There are also links to automated case status, but I don't know how much helpful information this will have -- it might just say PROCESSING.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:41 PM on February 27, 2006
Yes, the 120-day processing time is bullshit, and the amount of bullshit depends on where you're filing. Look at the processing times for your district office, using ROU_X's link. If your filing date comes after the date specified for the N-400, it hasn't entered the system yet. (For instance, the Denver office is currently processing N-400s with receipt notices issued in July 2005.)
The website that is devoted to providing updated status information does not recognize his case number as a valid one
It won't. Nor will the phone-based system. The same applies to green card applications handled by district offices, where there's an even longer wait time (c. 18 months).
posted by holgate at 5:04 PM on February 27, 2006
The website that is devoted to providing updated status information does not recognize his case number as a valid one
It won't. Nor will the phone-based system. The same applies to green card applications handled by district offices, where there's an even longer wait time (c. 18 months).
posted by holgate at 5:04 PM on February 27, 2006
hmm, when last year did he apply? i applied for my citizenship december 2004 which was exactly three months before i had held a green card for five years (which is the minimum time required before you can apply). I heard back for fingerprinting within a month and a half and then I got my interview about two months or so after that and got sworn in a few weeks after that. All in all, it took about three-four months for the whole process from start to finish.
I did use a lawyer but I am not sure that makes a difference. When I applied, they sent me a paper confirming my application and a number to call in case nothing else happened or in case my address changed. I had previously called the INS several times and was able to talk to someone on multiple occasions. I would say try the not pressing buttons option or try pressing everything many times until the automatic computer gives up and connects you to someone. The people I spoke to on both occasions were very nice and relatively helpful. I'd venture to say you'll get farther that way than thru the senator or representative. but that's just IMHO.
good luck and tell your husband to not give up. i've learned that when it comes to government matters, you just have to try harder. btw, i am originally from a middle-eastern country (albeit one that's on good terms with the US) which i thought might become a problem but it wasn't at all. the whole process, as you mentioned, is simple and painless.
posted by karen at 5:09 PM on February 27, 2006
I did use a lawyer but I am not sure that makes a difference. When I applied, they sent me a paper confirming my application and a number to call in case nothing else happened or in case my address changed. I had previously called the INS several times and was able to talk to someone on multiple occasions. I would say try the not pressing buttons option or try pressing everything many times until the automatic computer gives up and connects you to someone. The people I spoke to on both occasions were very nice and relatively helpful. I'd venture to say you'll get farther that way than thru the senator or representative. but that's just IMHO.
good luck and tell your husband to not give up. i've learned that when it comes to government matters, you just have to try harder. btw, i am originally from a middle-eastern country (albeit one that's on good terms with the US) which i thought might become a problem but it wasn't at all. the whole process, as you mentioned, is simple and painless.
posted by karen at 5:09 PM on February 27, 2006
By the way, your congressperson's staff might be of assistance. They're supposed to help constituents sort out problems with the federal bureaucracy. If nothing else, they've probably dealt with enough immigration questions to know the secret for getting a live operator on the phone.
Do this. Call the office closest to you (not the one in DC). They have a special line to call and can get questions answered by a congressional liason. You might need to provide a release from your husband allowing the agency to talk with the member's staff.
posted by jaysus chris at 5:38 PM on February 27, 2006
Do this. Call the office closest to you (not the one in DC). They have a special line to call and can get questions answered by a congressional liason. You might need to provide a release from your husband allowing the agency to talk with the member's staff.
posted by jaysus chris at 5:38 PM on February 27, 2006
All in all, it took about three-four months for the whole process from start to finish.
Processing times vary tremendously, especially for things that go through district offices instead of through the regional service centers.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:05 PM on February 27, 2006
Processing times vary tremendously, especially for things that go through district offices instead of through the regional service centers.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:05 PM on February 27, 2006
It took me about a year in LA. Basically the INS people were really nice and really overworked. They won't give you any info about the status of your application over the phone because they're not allowed but you can tell them you are worried it didn't get there or something and they will give you some info.
IME a lot of people at INS are themselves immigrants and they will help you out but they are busy and overworked. They have a flexoble appraoch to deadlines. Also background checks are running at least three months right now, per my work where we have to have them.
posted by fshgrl at 9:35 PM on February 27, 2006
IME a lot of people at INS are themselves immigrants and they will help you out but they are busy and overworked. They have a flexoble appraoch to deadlines. Also background checks are running at least three months right now, per my work where we have to have them.
posted by fshgrl at 9:35 PM on February 27, 2006
What kind of documents have you gotten back? A receipt? A cleared check?
posted by Pollomacho at 11:18 AM on February 28, 2006
posted by Pollomacho at 11:18 AM on February 28, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by reverendX at 4:03 PM on February 27, 2006